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how to disable secure folder

To disable or remove Secure Folder, you’ll usually either turn it off/hidden or fully uninstall/disable it in settings, depending on your Samsung/Android version.

What “disable Secure Folder” can mean

  • Hide or turn it off so it doesn’t appear in apps or quick settings.
  • Stop its notifications and background activity.
  • Completely uninstall it (older devices) or just disable the app (newer One UI where uninstall isn’t allowed).

Before changing anything, move or back up important files if you might uninstall/clear data, because that can erase all Secure Folder content.

Basic way to remove / uninstall (where allowed)

On many Samsung phones (especially older One UI versions):

  1. Open Settings → Lock screen and security or Security and privacy.
  1. Tap Secure Folder.
  2. Unlock with PIN/pattern/password.
  1. Tap the ⋮ (three‑dot menu) or More settings.
  2. Choose Uninstall.
  3. If offered:
    • Back up and uninstall to save data to your Samsung account, or
    • Uninstall to erase everything in Secure Folder.

If you don’t see an uninstall option, your software likely only lets you disable/hide it instead.

When uninstall is blocked (One UI 6+)

On newer Galaxy devices (e.g., S23 series with One UI 6.1), Secure Folder is built in and cannot be fully uninstalled , but you can disable the app so it stops running.

Typical steps:

  1. Go to Settings → Apps.
  2. Tap ⋮ (three dots) → Show system apps if Secure Folder doesn’t appear.
  1. Find and open Secure Folder.
  2. Tap Disable to stop background activity and hide it as much as your version allows.

Some users report that the OS still treats it as an embedded feature, so you might only be able to limit it, not remove it completely.

Quickly “turn off” or hide Secure Folder

If you just don’t want to see or use it day‑to‑day:

  • Quick Settings tile
    • Swipe down from the top to open Quick Settings.
    • Look for a tile with the Secure Folder name/icon.
    • Tapping it can toggle Secure Folder on/off (availability and behavior differ by device).
  • Hide the icon
    • Inside Secure Folder, open its Settings.
    • Turn off the Show Secure Folder (or similar) option so the icon disappears from the app drawer/home screen.

This doesn’t delete data; it just tucks the folder away.

Stopping annoying Secure Folder notifications

If your main problem is the constant “Secure Folder locked” or duplicate “content hidden” alerts:

  • Long‑press a Secure Folder notification → Settings → adjust or turn off that notification category.
  • Or go to Settings → Notifications → Secure Folder and:
    • Disable specific categories, or
    • Turn notifications off entirely (options depend on your Android version).

Some users discovered that digging into Android System → Notifications → Alerts and toggling certain alert categories can remove persistent Secure Folder notifications, though this may affect other system alerts, so use with caution.

Forum & “latest news” angle

  • Recent Samsung community threads note that Secure Folder is now treated as a core feature on newer One UI builds, so full uninstall is often blocked and only disable/hide is supported.
  • Reddit and Samsung forums frequently discuss workarounds for notifications and quick‑settings toggling , reflecting ongoing user frustration with how “sticky” Secure Folder has become.

TL;DR:

  • If your phone allows it: Settings → Security → Secure Folder → Uninstall (back up first if needed).
  • On newer One UI: Settings → Apps → show system apps → Secure Folder → Disable; then hide icons and notifications as desired.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.